Every day, locals and visitors take a refreshing plunge into the Bosphorus, experiencing the joy of swimming between two continents. This unique Istanbul tradition is more than just a sport—it’s a stress reliever and a natural antidepressant.

Istanbul’s unique tradition: Swimming across the Bosphorus for relaxation

Treaties and conventions are like ground rules that ensure fair play. But if you're a rogue leader like Turkish President Erdogan, then treaties are nothing but chains. They dent your global ambitions.

Last month Erdogan abandoned a treaty on gender violence. Apparently, women's safety is a distraction in power plays. But he isn't done yet.

Erdogan is planning to violate another treaty. This one was signed in 1936 during the World War. Under this agreement the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits were given to Turkey.

Turkey had control. But with a caveat. Only civilian ships would sail through these waters. The Bosporus would not be militarised. That was the rule.

But rules have seldom stopped Erdogan. He has devised a workaround. Since he can't militarise the Bosporus, he is planning to create a completely new waterway.

In effect a second Bosporus. It is expected to be a 45 kilometre-long canal to the west of the natural route.

But why is Erdogan building it? The canal is one of the president's grand projects. A re-imagination of 21st century Turkey.

It has already bankrupted the economy. And made a laughing stock of the national currency the Lira. But the president will do anything for a return to the glory days.

Turkish officials say the new canal will reduce traffic on the Bosporus. They also say that the old convention will not apply. But Turkey's battle-hardened veterans disagree.

104 former navy officers signed an open letter against President Erdogan. They say the canal project is a violation of the treaty. And that it will harm regional security.

But all the president heard was the warning bell of a coup. The response was swift. Ten retired admirals have been arrested.

The charges? Conspiring against state security and constitutional order.

This is how Erdogan's spokesman defended the arrest.

"A group of retired soldiers are putting themselves into a laughable and miserable position with their statement that echoes military coup times."

Sums up what's happening in Turkey. Free speech is laughable. And dissent equals attempted coup.

Since 2016, Erdogan sees a hostile takeover everywhere. It's the classic sign of a leader insecure about public support.

The new canal project is a destabilising act.

For instance, The Black Sea has been historically dominated by Russia. But what if American warships enter the waters? Erdogan loves playing allies and rivals.

It's something he has perfected in his dealings with the European Union.

We could get a glimpse of it on Tuesday. Top officials of the EU Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel are due in Ankara.

They are hoping to find a solution to the Turkish problem.

Here's the issue, Turkey is a candidate for EU membership. But it has disputes with existing members like Greece. And an abhorrent record on human rights to boot.

So what are the EU officials hoping to achieve? Brussels is ready to engage. But only if Erdogan takes positive steps.

So let's recount what the president has done in the last few weeks. He abandoned a treaty on gender violence. He detained dozens of university students for protesting. He approved a plan that violates an 85-year old treaty. And he arrested retired officers who opposed the move. If this is Erdogan's idea of wooing Brussels there is no hope.

There is a wide chasm between what the Turkish president says and what he does. Last year, he talked about Turkey's European destiny.

But he continues to alienate the EU with aggressive posturing. Many say Turkey's future is linked to Europe's. That's what the country's founder Kemal Ataturk believed.

But Kemal Ataturk was a statesman. He believed in International Law.

Erdogan on the other hand is what many call self-styled. His style being disruptive, intolerant and ruthless. So if geopolitics were a sport Erdogan would never qualify as a sportsman. 
&nbsp;

Treaties and conventions are like ground rules that ensure fair play. But if you're a rogue leader like Turkish President Erdogan, then treaties are nothing but chains.

Treaties and conventions are like ground rules that ensure fair play. But if you're a rogue leader like Turkish President Erdogan, then treaties are nothing but chains. They dent your global ambitions. Last month Erdogan abandoned a treaty on gender violence. Apparently, women's safety is a distraction in power plays. But he isn't done yet. Erdogan is planning to violate another treaty. This one was signed in 1936 during the World War. Under this agreement the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits were given to Turkey. Turkey had control. But with a caveat. Only civilian ships would sail through these waters. The Bosporus would not be militarised. That was the rule. But rules have seldom stopped Erdogan. He has devised a workaround. Since he can't militarise the Bosporus, he is planning to create a completely new waterway. In effect a second Bosporus. It is expected to be a 45 kilometre-long canal to the west of the natural route. But why is Erdogan building it? The canal is one of the president's grand projects. A re-imagination of 21st century Turkey. It has already bankrupted the economy. And made a laughing stock of the national currency the Lira. But the president will do anything for a return to the glory days. Turkish officials say the new canal will reduce traffic on the Bosporus. They also say that the old convention will not apply. But Turkey's battle-hardened veterans disagree. 104 former navy officers signed an open letter against President Erdogan. They say the canal project is a violation of the treaty. And that it will harm regional security. But all the president heard was the warning bell of a coup. The response was swift. Ten retired admirals have been arrested. The charges? Conspiring against state security and constitutional order. This is how Erdogan's spokesman defended the arrest. "A group of retired soldiers are putting themselves into a laughable and miserable position with their statement that echoes military coup times." Sums up what's happening in Turkey. Free speech is laughable. And dissent equals attempted coup. Since 2016, Erdogan sees a hostile takeover everywhere. It's the classic sign of a leader insecure about public support. The new canal project is a destabilising act. For instance, The Black Sea has been historically dominated by Russia. But what if American warships enter the waters? Erdogan loves playing allies and rivals. It's something he has perfected in his dealings with the European Union. We could get a glimpse of it on Tuesday. Top officials of the EU Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel are due in Ankara. They are hoping to find a solution to the Turkish problem. Here's the issue, Turkey is a candidate for EU membership. But it has disputes with existing members like Greece. And an abhorrent record on human rights to boot. So what are the EU officials hoping to achieve? Brussels is ready to engage. But only if Erdogan takes positive steps. So let's recount what the president has done in the last few weeks. He abandoned a treaty on gender violence. He detained dozens of university students for protesting. He approved a plan that violates an 85-year old treaty. And he arrested retired officers who opposed the move. If this is Erdogan's idea of wooing Brussels there is no hope. There is a wide chasm between what the Turkish president says and what he does. Last year, he talked about Turkey's European destiny. But he continues to alienate the EU with aggressive posturing. Many say Turkey's future is linked to Europe's. That's what the country's founder Kemal Ataturk believed. But Kemal Ataturk was a statesman. He believed in International Law. Erdogan on the other hand is what many call self-styled. His style being disruptive, intolerant and ruthless. So if geopolitics were a sport Erdogan would never qualify as a sportsman.

Turkey detains former navy commanders. What's Erdogan's plan exactly?

A foreign cargo ship ran aground in Istanbul's Bosphorus strait on Friday, requiring a rescue operation and prompting authorities to temporarily close the picturesque and crowded waterway running through <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-to-send-troops-to-libya-at-tripolis-request-270402">Turkey</a>'s largest city.

There were no injuries or casualties, the governor's office said, adding that the ship had reported engine failure shortly before its grounding near the shore.

There was no damage to the concrete walkway running along the shore, Reuters witnesses said.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/bosphorus-strait-of-istanbul-turns-from-blue-to-turquoise-273">Bosphorus</a>, among the world's busiest shipping routes, was temporarily closed to international traffic as boats towed the vessel south towards the Sea of Marmara.

The Liberian-flagged Songa Iridum had come from Ukraine's Odessa and was headed for Istanbul's port of Ambarli, according to Refinitiv Eikon shipping data. Shipping agency GAC said the rescue work had been completed on the vessel.

Such accidents are rare on the Bosphorus, which is vital to Russia and other Black Sea states for shipping and some naval passage.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-do-it-trump-warns-russia-syria-iran-against-killing-civilians-in-idlib-270437">Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan</a> has warned about such accidents as he has revived plans in recent weeks to dig a massive canal on the western fringes of Istanbul to ease traffic on the Bosphorus.

The city's new mayor, environmentalists and hundreds of petitioners oppose the Kanal Istanbul plan.

A foreign cargo ship ran aground in Istanbul's Bosphorus strait on Friday, requiring a rescue operation and prompting authorities to temporarily close the picturesque and crowded waterway running through Turkey's largest city.

A foreign cargo ship ran aground in Istanbul's Bosphorus strait on Friday, requiring a rescue operation and prompting authorities to temporarily close the picturesque and crowded waterway running through Turkey's largest city. There were no injuries or casualties, the governor's office said, adding that the ship had reported engine failure shortly before its grounding near the shore. There was no damage to the concrete walkway running along the shore, Reuters witnesses said. The Bosphorus, among the world's busiest shipping routes, was temporarily closed to international traffic as boats towed the vessel south towards the Sea of Marmara. The Liberian-flagged Songa Iridum had come from Ukraine's Odessa and was headed for Istanbul's port of Ambarli, according to Refinitiv Eikon shipping data. Shipping agency GAC said the rescue work had been completed on the vessel. Such accidents are rare on the Bosphorus, which is vital to Russia and other Black Sea states for shipping and some naval passage. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has warned about such accidents as he has revived plans in recent weeks to dig a massive canal on the western fringes of Istanbul to ease traffic on the Bosphorus. The city's new mayor, environmentalists and hundreds of petitioners oppose the Kanal Istanbul plan.

Cargo ship runs aground in Istanbul's Bosphorus strait

Bosphorus: The Strait of Istanbul is on fire, literally. Perhaps there has not been a single day when journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s brutal killing inside the Saudi consulate has not made headlines worldwide in the last three weeks. The slow trickle of evidence through anonymous sources must be working like Chinese torture to crown prince Mohd bin Salman who till recently was enthusiastically courted by the western media as a reformer who wanted to change the very DNA of his country. 
&nbsp; 
But what he is left with today is a badly tarnished record which would be very difficult to whitewash. From the abduction of the Lebanese Prime Minister to a disastrous and inhumane war in Yemen to arm-twisting of the Qataris government, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia stands exposed today. A monarch who was masquerading as a modernist and a reformer. 
&nbsp; 
The intelligence agencies and leaders of the free world knew it but today even average joe is well aware of his motto. Even the taxi driver in Istanbul does. One of them told me,” I think the crown prince is in big trouble.” I said,” Why.” He said,” Everyone knows.” I do not know what he knew but all taxi drivers in Istanbul, I’m sure, today know the address of the Saudi Consulate and shortest way to it.

<img alt="Bosphorus" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="18674706-c86f-4e56-bfe1-a990b0742c17" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/IMG-20181025-WA0021.jpg" /> 
<img alt="Bosphorus is on fire, literally" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d618cf17-6e97-48e5-a4f2-db9bafccc4cf" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/IMG-20181025-WA0019.jpg" />&nbsp;<img alt="Bosphorus is on fire, literally" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2ca27b31-8fb3-42ae-928c-8758f08ae6e4" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/IMG-20181025-WA0022.jpg" />

The Saudi consulate in Istanbul is the new little Mecca of Istanbul’s economy. Maybe the Saudis will vacate it one day because as it has the potential to become a site of conservation and showcase the barbaric act lest people forget. A small building closed from both sides protected by the police is what it stands for today. You see the gate and try guessing what his fiancée might have felt 4 hours waiting there for him to turn up. Right now, it looks more like a campsite where international and national media works in a cramped space. 
&nbsp; 
The news does not come from the consulate. It is the backdrop for the TV coverage. A camp where West Asia is the topic of discussion and MBS is the Lord Voldemort. The excitement also depends on the weather. Winter months are kissing Istanbul. Even a light shower and hide and seek by the sun can send shivers down your spine. For once I wished that sun was more uncivilized but that was not to be. 
&nbsp; 
This is not my first visit to Istanbul. I visited this beautiful city with my wife a few months back. Today, I’m here to cover the biggest global story. It is Khashoggi’s murder. You would have guessed it by now. But I feel guilty. The hotel is the same because of its location and centrality. The reason for guilt is that I got a bigger room to stay put with my cameraman than the one I had with my wife. That was the first thing I told her. But, boy, the room has a view of the beautiful Bosphorus. A water lane which connects the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea. It divides and connects Asia and Europe at the same time. I’m staying put on the European side and without bias. But what I have been doing for the past 24 hours is to discuss West Asian politics. This is Istanbul.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Bosphorus: The Strait of Istanbul is on fire, literally. Perhaps there has not been a single day when journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s brutal killing inside the Saudi consulate has not made headlines worldwide in the last three weeks.

Bosphorus: The Strait of Istanbul is on fire, literally. Perhaps there has not been a single day when journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s brutal killing inside the Saudi consulate has not made headlines worldwide in the last three weeks. The slow trickle of evidence through anonymous sources must be working like Chinese torture to crown prince Mohd bin Salman who till recently was enthusiastically courted by the western media as a reformer who wanted to change the very DNA of his country. But what he is left with today is a badly tarnished record which would be very difficult to whitewash. From the abduction of the Lebanese Prime Minister to a disastrous and inhumane war in Yemen to arm-twisting of the Qataris government, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia stands exposed today. A monarch who was masquerading as a modernist and a reformer. The intelligence agencies and leaders of the free world knew it but today even average joe is well aware of his motto. Even the taxi driver in Istanbul does. One of them told me,” I think the crown prince is in big trouble.” I said,” Why.” He said,” Everyone knows.” I do not know what he knew but all taxi drivers in Istanbul, I’m sure, today know the address of the Saudi Consulate and shortest way to it. The Saudi consulate in Istanbul is the new little Mecca of Istanbul’s economy. Maybe the Saudis will vacate it one day because as it has the potential to become a site of conservation and showcase the barbaric act lest people forget. A small building closed from both sides protected by the police is what it stands for today. You see the gate and try guessing what his fiancée might have felt 4 hours waiting there for him to turn up. Right now, it looks more like a campsite where international and national media works in a cramped space. The news does not come from the consulate. It is the backdrop for the TV coverage. A camp where West Asia is the topic of discussion and MBS is the Lord Voldemort. The excitement also depends on the weather. Winter months are kissing Istanbul. Even a light shower and hide and seek by the sun can send shivers down your spine. For once I wished that sun was more uncivilized but that was not to be. This is not my first visit to Istanbul. I visited this beautiful city with my wife a few months back. Today, I’m here to cover the biggest global story. It is Khashoggi’s murder. You would have guessed it by now. But I feel guilty. The hotel is the same because of its location and centrality. The reason for guilt is that I got a bigger room to stay put with my cameraman than the one I had with my wife. That was the first thing I told her. But, boy, the room has a view of the beautiful Bosphorus. A water lane which connects the Sea of Marmara with the Black Sea. It divides and connects Asia and Europe at the same time. I’m staying put on the European side and without bias. But what I have been doing for the past 24 hours is to discuss West Asian politics. This is Istanbul. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Blog: Bosphorus is on fire, literally

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